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Op Art

OP ART STYLE

The Op art movement emerged in the 1960s, mirroring the counterculture of the time in its embrace of visual trickery, graphic shapes and bright colors.

Spreading across Europe and the Americas, the style — whose name is short for “optical art” — influenced advertising, fashion and interior design before fading in the early ’70s.

Op art remained significant, however, for artists and scientists interested in the nature of perception. And today, it’s seeing a resurgence of interest from collectors and interior designers.

Op artists played with the principles of perception, manipulating line, shape, patterns and color to create the illusion of depth and movement. They drew on and evolved methods developed by past movements, from Impressionism to Abstract Expressionism, to produce intense visual experiences.

All the Op artists shared a focus on the gap between what is and what we perceive. Each, however, had a distinct approach to the issue and a unique visual style.

On 1stDibs, find a collection of Op art that includes works by Josef Albers, Bridget Riley, Jesús Rafael Soto and more.

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Style: Op Art
Luna, Abstract Geometric Screenprint by Roy Ahlgren
Luna, Abstract Geometric Screenprint by Roy Ahlgren

Luna, Abstract Geometric Screenprint by Roy Ahlgren

By Roy Ahlgren

Located in Long Island City, NY

Artist: Roy Ahlgren, American (1927 - 2011) Title: Luna Year: 1977 Edition: AP Medium: Serigraph, signed and numbered in pencil Image Size: 17.5 x 17.5 inches Size: 20 x 20 inches

Category

1970s Op Art

Materials

Screen

Oscillation
Oscillation

Oscillation

By Roy Ahlgren

Located in Fairlawn, OH

11 color screen print Signed, dated, titled and numberedin pencil Edition: 150 (9/150) Provenance: Estate of the Artist By Decent

Category

1980s Op Art

Materials

Screen

CSW 2024.4  (Aquatic whisper of emerald artichoke turquoise green grid painting)
CSW 2024.4  (Aquatic whisper of emerald artichoke turquoise green grid painting)

CSW 2024.4 (Aquatic whisper of emerald artichoke turquoise green grid painting)

By Melisa Taylor Metzger

Located in Quebec, Quebec

The series "CSW" explores the marriage of chance-derived gestures with exacting grid geometry. Built upon a multilayered convergence of airbrush painting and hard-edge techniques on...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Op Art

Materials

Spray Paint, Acrylic

Ascension
Ascension

Ascension

By Roy Ahlgren

Located in San Francisco, CA

This artwork titled "Ascension" 1978 is a color serigraph on paper by noted American artist Roy Ahlgren, 1927-2011 It is hand signed, titled, dated and numbered 34/65 in pencil by th...

Category

Mid-20th Century Op Art

Materials

Screen

CSW 2024.3  (Crimson red veiled echoes color-field grid painting on wood)
CSW 2024.3  (Crimson red veiled echoes color-field grid painting on wood)

CSW 2024.3 (Crimson red veiled echoes color-field grid painting on wood)

By Melisa Taylor Metzger

Located in Quebec, Quebec

The series "CSW" explores the marriage of chance-derived gestures with exacting grid geometry. Built upon a multilayered convergence of airbrush painting and hard-edge techniques on...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Op Art

Materials

Spray Paint, Acrylic

Horizon Original Op Art Painting
Horizon Original Op Art Painting

Horizon Original Op Art Painting

By Marko Spalatin

Located in Lake Worth Beach, FL

Horizon Original Op Art Painting 1978 Artist signed and dated. Marko Spalatin (American, Born 1945). An original Modern Abstract Op-Art oil painting on canvas. Titled "Horizon". Featuring colors of white, yellow, orange, green, purple, and blue. Signed and dated 1978 with title on verso. Mounted on wood stretcher. Provenance: 11/10/2007 Ivey-Selkirk Auction, LOT 775. PERMANENT COLLECTIONS Musée d'Art Moderne — Paris, France Museum of Modern Art — New York, New York Tate Gallery — London, England Bibliothèque National — Paris, France Victoria & Albert Museum — London, England Library of Congress — Washington, D.C. Museum of Contemporary Art — Chicago, Illinois Metropolitan Museum — Manila, Philippines Philadelphia Museum of Art — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania The Butler Institute of American Art — Youngstown, Ohio Museum of Modern Art — Belgrade, Yugoslavia Milwaukee Art Museum...

Category

1970s Op Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Acrylic

Julio Le Parc (1928) - Pochoir on paper - 1992
Julio Le Parc (1928) - Pochoir on paper - 1992

Julio Le Parc (1928) - Pochoir on paper - 1992

By Julio Le Parc

Located in Varese, IT

Pochoir on paper, edited in 1992. 
Limited edition of 50 copies, numbered as 23/50 in lower corner.
 Hand-signed by artist in pencil. Paper size: 70 x 70 cm
 Framed size: 70,7 x 70,...

Category

1990s Op Art

Materials

Paper

Aerial, from Twelve Progressions
Aerial, from Twelve Progressions

Aerial, from Twelve Progressions

By Julian Stanczak

Located in Miami, FL

Julian Stanczak Aerial, from Twelve Progressions 1971 Screenprint 26 1/2 x 26 1/2 in. EA #3 Pencil signed and numbered Julian Stanczak (Polish, November 5, 1928 – March 25, 2017) was a Polish-born American painter and printmaker who is considered a central figure of the Op art movement in the U.S. during the 1960s and 1970s. Described as an artist whose work "evinced a tremendous geometric inventiveness", Stanczak is primarily known for his large-scale polychromatic abstract compositions made using acrylic paint on canvas in which he explored the perceptual dimensions of color.[3] Born in 1928 in Borownica, Poland, Stanczak survived a Siberian labor camp during World War II where he lost the use of his right arm. He retrained himself to paint left-handed and emigrated to the United States in 1950, where he eventually became a citizen. In 1956, Stanczak received an M.F.A. from Yale University, where he studied with Josef Albers and Conrad Marca-Relli, and was roommates with fellow abstract painter Richard Anuszkiewicz. The term "Op art", since used to describe a short-lived movement of 1960s and 1970s, originated from Stanczak's work when the Minimalist artist and sculptor Donald Judd used it in his critical review of the 1964 exhibition titled Julian Stanczak: Optical Paintings at Martha Jackson Gallery in New York. Stanczak achieved broader commercial recognition after being featured in the landmark 1965 exhibition The Responsive Eye created by curator William C. Seitz at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. As the popularity of Op art diminished in the late 1970s, Stanczak remained active as a painter and continued to exhibit his work, but became progressively separated from mainstream contemporary art in the U.S. In addition to being a practicing artist, Stanczak served as a faculty member at the Art Academy of Cincinnati from 1957 to 1964 and, later, as Professor of Painting at the Cleveland Institute of Art from 1964 to 1995. In 2013, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from Case Western Reserve University in Ohio. Stanczak lived and worked in Seven Hills, Ohio with his wife, the sculptor Barbara...

Category

1970s Op Art

Materials

Screen

Trama - geometric abstract painting
Trama - geometric abstract painting

Trama - geometric abstract painting

By Roberto Lucchetta

Located in New York, NY

This hand painted piece by Lucchetta is part of the op art series where he is able to catch movement with his unique technique. Lucchetta is challenging himself. His precise stable h...

Category

2010s Op Art

Materials

Paper, Ink, Acrylic

Dedicated, from Twelve Progressions
Dedicated, from Twelve Progressions

Dedicated, from Twelve Progressions

By Julian Stanczak

Located in Miami, FL

TECHNICAL INFORMATION: Julian Stanczak Dedicated, from Twelve Progressions 1971 26 1/8 x 31 3/4 in. Edition of 90 Pencil Signed and Numbered Accompanied with COA by Gregg Shienbaum...

Category

1970s Op Art

Materials

Screen

Heatwave, 1979, Etching with Aquatint by Barry Nelson
Heatwave, 1979, Etching with Aquatint by Barry Nelson

Heatwave, 1979, Etching with Aquatint by Barry Nelson

By Barry Nelson

Located in Long Island City, NY

Heatwave Barry Nelson, British/American (1937) Date: 1979 Etching with Aquatint on Arches, signed, titled, numbered and dated in pencil Edition of AP Image Size: 29.5 x 20.25 inches ...

Category

1970s Op Art

Materials

Etching, Aquatint

Regalion, 1983, Etching with Aquatint by Barry Nelson
Regalion, 1983, Etching with Aquatint by Barry Nelson

Regalion, 1983, Etching with Aquatint by Barry Nelson

By Barry Nelson

Located in Long Island City, NY

Regalion Barry Nelson, British/American (1937) Date: 1983 Etching with Aquatint on Arches, signed, titled, numbered and dated in pencil Edition of 15/15 Image Size: 29.5 x 20.25 inch...

Category

1980s Op Art

Materials

Etching, Aquatint

Untitled, 1959/84

Untitled, 1959/84

By Carlos Cruz-Diez

Located in Miami, FL

Carlos Cruz-Diez (1923-2019) Original silkscreen print, signed and numbered Title: Untitled, 1959/84 From: Exacta. Dal Costruttivismo all'arte sistematica 1918-1985 Media: Silksc...

Category

1980s Op Art

Materials

Lithograph

Quadrato
Quadrato

Quadrato

By Jesús Rafael Soto

Located in Miami, FL

Jesus Rafael Soto (1923-2005) Quadrato 1974 Editions Denise Rene 46 of 75 Acrylic/aluminum with painted metal rods 17,5 x 15,7 x 12,5 in Signed and dated Provenance: Editions Galeri...

Category

1970s Op Art

Materials

Metal

Big Sur, OP Art Screenprint by Roy Ahlgren
Big Sur, OP Art Screenprint by Roy Ahlgren

Big Sur, OP Art Screenprint by Roy Ahlgren

By Roy Ahlgren

Located in Long Island City, NY

Artist: Roy Ahlgren, American (1927 - 2011) Title: Bir Sur Year: 1981 Medium: Screenprint, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 150 Image Size: 18 x 25.5 inches Size: 22.5 x 30 in...

Category

1980s Op Art

Materials

Screen

Allegro, Op Art Serigraph by Roy Ahlgren
Allegro, Op Art Serigraph by Roy Ahlgren

Allegro, Op Art Serigraph by Roy Ahlgren

By Roy Ahlgren

Located in Long Island City, NY

Artist: Roy Ahlgren, American (1927 - 2011) Title: Allegro Year: 1986 Medium: Serigraph, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 23/100 Image Size: 18 x 25.5 inches Size: 22.5 x 30 in...

Category

1980s Op Art

Materials

Screen

serigraph

serigraph

By (After) Victor Vasarely

Located in Henderson, NV

Medium: serigraph (after the painting). Printed in 1968 and published by the (op)art galerie of Esslingen, Germany for a rare portfolio. Size: 9 1/2 x 7 7/8 inches (240 x 200 mm). No...

Category

1960s Op Art

Materials

Screen

Optisk komposition
Optisk komposition

Optisk komposition

By Victor Vasarely

Located in Palo Alto, CA

Victor Vasarely Optisk komposition, 1970 is a Studio Line Rosenthal Porcelain relief with aluminum and is hand-signed by Victor Vasarely (Hungary, 1906 – France, 1997) on verso. Numb...

Category

1970s Op Art

Materials

Porcelain, Glaze

Kettes, 1984
Kettes, 1984

Kettes, 1984

By Victor Vasarely

Located in Palo Alto, CA

Created in 1984, this hand painted acrylic on wood sculpture is hand signed by Victor Vasarely (Pécs, 1906 - Paris, 1997) in ink in the lower right. This work is also numbered 48/175...

Category

1980s Op Art

Materials

Wood, Acrylic

Composition Microcosmos IV

Composition Microcosmos IV

By Victor Vasarely

Located in Miami, FL

TECHNICAL INFORMATION: Victor Vasarely Composition Microcosmos IV 1980 Screenprint 13 x 10 in. Edition of 50 Pencil signed and numbered Accompanied with COA by Gregg Shienbaum Fin...

Category

1980s Op Art

Materials

Screen

serigraph

serigraph

By (After) Victor Vasarely

Located in Henderson, NV

Medium: serigraph (after the painting). Printed in 1968 and published by the (op)art galerie of Esslingen, Germany for a rare portfolio. Size: 9 1/2 x 7 7/8 inches (240 x 200 mm). No...

Category

1960s Op Art

Materials

Screen

Teke
Teke

Teke

By Victor Vasarely

Located in Miami, FL

TECHNICAL INFORMATION: Victor Vasarely Teke c. 1970 Screenprint 34 1/2 x 30 1/2 in. Edition of 250 Pencil signed and numbered Accompanied with COA by Gregg Shienbaum Fine Art. C...

Category

1970s Op Art

Materials

Screen

Oltar-Zoeld

Oltar-Zoeld

By Victor Vasarely

Located in Miami, FL

Victor Vasarely “Oltar-Zoeld” 1985/86 Silkscreen on paper Edition 57 of 295 42 x 68 in Victor Vasarely (9 April 1906 – 15 March 1997), was a Hungarian-French artist, who is widely a...

Category

20th Century Op Art

Materials

Lithograph

"Quasar Paal 2"

"Quasar Paal 2"

By (After) Victor Vasarely

Located in Henderson, NV

Medium: offset lithograph (after Vasarely). Printed in 1972 in Neuchatel, Switzerland on thick, high-gloss paper and published by Editions du Griffon for the "Vasarely Progressions 1...

Category

1970s Op Art

Materials

Offset

Double Metamorphosis IV, Yaacov Agam

Double Metamorphosis IV, Yaacov Agam

By Yaacov Agam

Located in Fairfield, CT

Artist: Yaakov Agam (1928) Title: Double Metamorphosis IV Year: 1979 Medium: Silkscreen on Arches paper Edition: 62/180, plus proofs Size: 36 x 50 inches Condition: Good Inscription:...

Category

1970s Op Art

Materials

Screen

Untitled

Untitled

By Victor Vasarely

Located in Palo Alto, CA

Combining patterns reminiscent of tessellation and a large grid-like system, Vasarely turns a plain hexagon into a concave surface. Shades of light and dark play across the 'facets' ...

Category

1970s Op Art

Materials

Wood, Acrylic

Topaze noir négatif
Topaze noir négatif

Topaze noir négatif

By Victor Vasarely

Located in PARIS, FR

Matt acrylic-painted wood relief Éditions Denise Rene Paris Edition n° 37/50, Signed. Presented at the exhibition “Vasarely - Le partage des Formes”, in 2019 at the Centre Pompidou. ...

Category

1960s Op Art

Materials

Wood, Acrylic

Spacescape II, Surrealist Screenprint by Rita Simon
Spacescape II, Surrealist Screenprint by Rita Simon

Spacescape II, Surrealist Screenprint by Rita Simon

By Rita Simon

Located in Long Island City, NY

Artist: Rita Simon, American (1938 - ) Title: Spacescape II Year: 1978 Medium: Screenprint, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 300, AP 30 Size: 25.5 in. x 36 in. (64.77 cm ...

Category

1970s Op Art

Materials

Screen

Op Art art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Op art available for sale on 1stDibs. Works in this style were very popular during the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artists have continued to produce works inspired by this movement. If you’re looking to add art created in this style to introduce contrast in an otherwise neutral space in your home, the works available on 1stDibs include elements of blue, purple, orange, red and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Victor Vasarely, Roy Ahlgren, Victor Debach, and Yaacov Agam. Frequently made by artists working with Screen Print, and Paint and other materials, all of these pieces for sale are unique and have attracted attention over the years. Not every interior allows for large Op Art, so small editions measuring 2 inches across are also available. Prices for art made by famous or emerging artists can differ depending on medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $66 and tops out at $350,000, while the average work sells for $1,616.